CTOO officer-in-charge Regina Rosa Tecson said they should be certain that the tourism company has insurance so that their safety will not be compromised.

“Take due diligence,” Tecson said.

She warned tourists who pick resorts and transportation group online to check the legality of the company.

“What if an accident will happen, do they have insurance?” Tecson said. “If something happens to you, it will be much more expensive.”

Tecson issued the statement as the local officials are looking into reports that most tourism spots in the city don’t have business permits.

The CTOO is set to meet with the other City Hall offices later this month to discuss the unregistered tourism resorts in Marilog District and in Times Beach, Matina.

“We are planning to meet with the other city offices such as the Business Bureau to discuss about it so our inspections will go smoothly,” Tecson said.

Tecson said they have yet to officially receive a resolution from the City Council on the creation of the task force that will inspect the unaccredited and unregistered tourism establishments.

The City Council passed on March 20 the resolution requesting the creation of the task force.

“There is a need to look into these establishments if they indeed followed the ordinances of the city, including the Amended Tourism Code as to their integrity, minimum standards to be complied with, as well as environmental and other concerns,” the resolution read.

Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, author of the resolution, said there are 30 inland resorts in Marilog.